Feb. 7, 2025
American College of Radiology® (ACR®) member Stephen Ferrara, MD, FSIR, FACR, was appointed Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Jan 20. Dr. Ferrara is also currently serving as the acting assistant secretary of Defense for Health Affairs until U.S. Senate confirmation of presidential nominee Keith Bass. In this capacity, Dr. Ferrara is the principal advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Defense on all Department of Defense health policies, programs and activities.

Dr. Ferrara is a retired U.S. Navy captain, serving 25 years on active duty. He holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and completed medical school at the Uniformed Services University. Dr. Ferrara completed a surgical internship and diagnostic radiology residency at the Naval Medical Center San Diego before completing fellowship training in vascular and interventional radiology at the University of California, San Diego, and Boston Children’s Hospital (Harvard Medical School).

Related ACR News

  • Medicare Payment Increase in Final Budget Reconciliation Bill

    The bill includes a 2.5% increase to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for calendar year 2026.

    Read more
  • CMS Announces Prior Authorization Test Model

    WiSer is a six-year program that will begin in six states on January 1, 2026. It will introduce prior authorization using AI technology for a select number of services, including some IR procedures.

    Read more
  • Supreme Court Upholds Preventive Services Coverage

    ACR commends the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming the constitutionality of the structure and appointment process of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

    Read more